System for storing a bulk supply of cable for controlled payout and method of using the system

Abstract

A system and method for storing a wrapped supply of cable for controlled payout. A container has a peripheral wall bounding a storage space, a top and a bottom. A support assembly is provided on the container for the supply of wrapped cable through which the supply of wrapped cable, operatively placed within the storage space, can be turned guidingly within the storage space around a first axis. The peripheral wall has an opening through which cable from the wrapped supply operatively placed in the storage space can be directed and drawn to cause the operatively placed supply of wrapped cable to turn around the first axis and thereby cause cable to be controllably paid out.

1 . A system for storing a wrapped supply of cable for controlled payout, the system comprising:
 a container having a peripheral wall bounding a storage space, a top and a bottom; and   a support assembly on the container for a supply of wrapped cable through which a supply of wrapped cable operatively placed within the storage space can be turned guidingly within the storage space around a first axis,   the peripheral wall having an opening through which cable from a wrapped supply operatively placed in the storage space can be directed and drawn to cause an operatively placed supply of wrapped cable to turn around the first axis and thereby cause cable to be controllably paid out.   
     
     
         2 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the peripheral wall has a cylindrical configuration with a central axis that is substantially coincident with the first axis and extends between the top and bottom of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  in combination with a supply of wrapped cable operatively placed/stored within the storage space. 
     
     
         4 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 3  wherein the peripheral wall has a top opening through which the supply of wrapped cable can be directed to be operatively placed within the storage space and the container has a bottom wall and further comprises a lid that is removably attached to the peripheral wall to selectively block the top opening. 
     
     
         5 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 4  wherein the support assembly comprises at least one guide component on the bottom wall. 
     
     
         6 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 5  wherein the support assembly comprises at least another guide component on the lid and the one and at least another guide components cooperatively guide the operatively placed supply of wrapped cable in movement around the first axis. 
     
     
         7 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 6  wherein the supply of wrapped cable comprises a reel with a core around which the cable is wrapped. 
     
     
         8 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 7  wherein the reel comprises spaced flanges that bound a storage region for cable around the core. 
     
     
         9 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the container further comprises a repositionable handle that can be grasped by a user to lift and transport the container. 
     
     
         10 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the peripheral wall opening is elongate in a direction along the first axis, the storage space has an axial extent along the first axis, and the opening extends over a majority of the axial extent of the storage space. 
     
     
         11 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  in combination with at least one storage tray that is operatively mounted within the storage space. 
     
     
         12 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the peripheral wall is made from molded plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the container is in the form of a standard paint container with one of a 5 gallon or a 7 gallon capacity. 
     
     
         14 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein there is at least one wheel on the container that can be rolled against a subjacent surface to facilitate repositioning of the system. 
     
     
         15 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein there is a shoulder strap on the container that can be engaged by a user to facilitate transportation of the system by a user. 
     
     
         16 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 7  wherein the core has a surface that bears against part of the support assembly to guide turning movement of the supply of wrapped cable around the first axis. 
     
     
         17 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 16  wherein the core surface bears against part of the support assembly on the lid to guide turning movement of the supply of wrapped cable around the first axis. 
     
     
         18 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 3  wherein a frangible sheet layer is applied around the supply of wrapped cable to confine the cable and the sheet layer is progressively ruptured as the cable is controllably paid out from the storage space. 
     
     
         19 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  in combination with at least one pouch for a plurality of discrete objects that is releasably supported upon the container. 
     
     
         20 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the container has a bottom wall with a plurality of discrete support feet projecting therefrom. 
     
     
         21 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 1  wherein the opening is bounded by an edge defined at least in part by a material with high friction characteristics that resists guided sliding movement of wire extending outwardly through the opening inwardly back into the storage space. 
     
     
         22 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 4  wherein the lid is releasably snap fit to the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         23 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 8  wherein the system further comprises a brake assembly on the container through which a variable friction force can be applied to at least one of the spaced flanges to resist turning of the supply of wrapped cable around the first axis. 
     
     
         24 . The system for storing a supply of cable according to  claim 3  wherein the cable is coaxial cable. 
     
     
         25 . A method of storing and controllably paying out cable from a wrapped supply of the cable, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a container with a storage space bounded by a cylindrical peripheral wall and a bottom wall and having an open top that is selectively blocked by a lid;   directing a supply of wrapped cable through the open top into the storage space so that the supply of wrapped cable is operatively placed and cooperates with the container to allow the supply of wrapped cable to be turned guidingly within the storage space around a first axis;   directing the cable from within the storage space through the peripheral wall; and   pulling the cable extended through the peripheral wall to thereby cause the supply of wrapped cable to turn around the first axis and thereby cause cable to be controllably paid out through the peripheral wall.   
     
     
         26 . The method of storing and controllably paying out cable according to  claim 25  wherein the cable is coaxial cable. 
     
     
         27 . The method of storing and controllably paying out cable according to  claim 25  wherein the first axis extends between the bottom wall and open top.